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Bassanio needed the money to travel off to Belmont where Portia was, and also presumably to give himself the air of a man with much money by buying new clothes for himself and so on. This looks to me to be somewhat of a con job but Portia does not seem to mind when she presumably finds out that this guy with no credit rating at all got his friend to put himself in debt in the hope that he could ultimately pay it off with Portia's money. However, all the Christians in the play are stupid with money--just look at Lorenzo, who blew most of the money Jessica stole from Shylock.

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11y ago
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11y ago

Bassanio was broke and had no credit. Antonio had money or at least credit.

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Q: Why did bassanio go to antonio for help?
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Does Shylock lend the money to Antonio or Bassanio?

Bassanio initially approaches Shylock requesting the loan. And the money is for Bassanio's use, to be sure. However, in agreeing to the loan, Shylock says,Go with me to a notary. Seal me thereYour single bond; and, in a merry sport,If you repay me not on such a day,In such a place, such sum or sums as areExpressed in the condition, let the forfeitBe nominated for an equal poundOf your fair flash, to be cut off and takenIn what part of your body pleaseth me.Who is he talking to? It is Antonio who answers "Content, in faith." It is not necessary that Bassanio should do so. Shylock says "if you repay me not" to Antonio, so clearly it is Antonio that is bound to repay the loan. And in fact, Shylock demands repayment, not from Bassanio, but from Antonio. Bassanio only hears about it after Antonio has defaulted.Clearly, then, Antonio is the real borrower.


Information about bassanio of tales from shakespeare?

Bassanio was a character of Shakespeare's play, "merchant o Venice. He was a man who was in the court of Antonio, a wise man. Bassanio lived beyond his means in order to keep up his personality. borrowed money from Antonio. He was in love with a lady named Portia. In this play many suitors wish to marry her but only Bassanio remained successful


Why does Antonio of Merchant in Venice want his friend to speak fairly of him in death?

Antonio is convinced that he will lose his lawsuit with Shylock and will be obliged to give up his pound of flesh and his life. He asks Bassiano earlier, "You cannot better be employ'd, Bassanio, Than to live still and write mine epitaph." Later, when actually preparing himself to be killed, he has the opportunity to deliver what he believes will be his last words. He says to Bassanio Commend me to your honourable wife: Tell her the process of Antonio's end; Say how I loved you, speak me fair in death; And, when the tale is told, bid her be judge Whether Bassanio had not once a love. He wants Bassanio to tell Portia how much he loves Bassanio; at least that is what is happening on the surface. But what does Antonio care about Portia? He is really letting Bassanio know how deep his love for Bassanio is, in order to get a loving response. Bassanio responds all too lovingly by saying that he loves Antonio more than his wife, a rather unfortunate remark since his wife is standing right next to him. All this is made sense of with the supposition, put forward by a number of scholars, that Antonio has a homosexual attraction to Bassanio.


Why did Antonio borrow money from Shylock?

Antonio borrowed the money from Shylock rather than lend it himself because his ships had not yet arrived therefore he had no money. He borrowed it for Bassanio, because Bassanio wanted to woo Portia.


How bond story and the casket story are independent in merchant of Venice?

The link between the two stories arises as a result of the relationship that Bassanio has with characters in the two plot streams. The association is created when Bassanio, who is out of pocket, approaches his friend and confidante, Antonio, a wealthy Christian merchant, for financial assistance so that he may woo the beautiful Portia, a wealthy heiress from Belmont. Bassanio wishes to stand an equal chance against a number of other suitors, who come from privileged backgrounds and the money will give him such an opportunity. Antonio does not have the ready cash that Bassanio needs but asks him to seek a loan in Venice by using his name as guarantee. He is a person of good standing and assures Bassanio that he will also seek a loan. Bassanio soon encounters Shylock, the Jewish moneylender, who is prepared to extend him a loan of 3 000 ducats should Antonio sign as surety to the bond. Antonio agrees to Shylock's harsh terms which state that the loan should be settled in three months without any interest charged. If he should forfeit, Antonio has to allow Shylock to cut out a pound of his flesh. Bassanio asks his friend not to agree to these terms but Antonio, confident that he will be able to settle the debt comfortably, signs the agreement. Bassanio takes the money and goes off to try his luck in winning Portia's hand in a lottery, in which a suitor should choose the right casket from three, that her deceased father had concocted. It is through these actions that an association between the two stories is created. It is important to note that Antonio and Shylock despise each other. Antonio believes that Shylock is committing a grave sin by lending out money and profiting from the interest he charges. Shylock hates Antonio for having severely criticized him openly and humiliating him by spitting on his gaberdine, kicking him and calling him a dog. He seeks revenge against the Christian. Bassanio is successful in choosing the right casket and wins Portia's hand. He does, however, receive an unsettling message from Antonio in which he states that he has been imprisoned for forfeiting on the bond. He had suffered a number of mishaps with his ships and could not settle the debt. The vengeful Shylock has been insistent that he should have his pound of flesh. Bassanio is utterly distraught. Portia notices his distress and after discovering the reason for this, offers to help. She urges Bassanio to rush to his friend's aid immediately after their marriage and offers to repay the debt many times over. She formulates a plan to further assist the traumatized Antonio by going to Venice disguised as a doctor of law with Nerissa as her assistant. It is in this manner that the two plots achieve a confluence.

Related questions

Does Shylock lend the money to Antonio or Bassanio?

Bassanio initially approaches Shylock requesting the loan. And the money is for Bassanio's use, to be sure. However, in agreeing to the loan, Shylock says,Go with me to a notary. Seal me thereYour single bond; and, in a merry sport,If you repay me not on such a day,In such a place, such sum or sums as areExpressed in the condition, let the forfeitBe nominated for an equal poundOf your fair flash, to be cut off and takenIn what part of your body pleaseth me.Who is he talking to? It is Antonio who answers "Content, in faith." It is not necessary that Bassanio should do so. Shylock says "if you repay me not" to Antonio, so clearly it is Antonio that is bound to repay the loan. And in fact, Shylock demands repayment, not from Bassanio, but from Antonio. Bassanio only hears about it after Antonio has defaulted.Clearly, then, Antonio is the real borrower.


Who was Antonio's friend in The Merchant of Venice?

Bassanio


Why does antonio need a loan from shylock?

the reason why antonio need a loan from shylock was that he wanted to help his friend bassanio geting this girl name porsita


In The Merchant of Venice who is the real hero Antonio or Bassanio?

Antonio. because withiut Antonio nothing would be possible.


Who was Bassanio's best friend?

Antonio was Basssanio's best friend.


How does portia and nerissa's relationship differ from that of antonio's and bassanio?

Portia and Nerissa's relationship is one of equals, with mutual respect and understanding. They support each other and share a deep bond. In contrast, Antonio and Bassanio's relationship is more hierarchical, with Antonio providing support and Bassanio receiving it. Their dynamic is one of mentorship and reliance.


Character sketch of Antonio in Merchant Of Venice?

1.Merchant of Venice 2.Antonio 3.Bassanio


Information about bassanio of tales from shakespeare?

Bassanio was a character of Shakespeare's play, "merchant o Venice. He was a man who was in the court of Antonio, a wise man. Bassanio lived beyond his means in order to keep up his personality. borrowed money from Antonio. He was in love with a lady named Portia. In this play many suitors wish to marry her but only Bassanio remained successful


What is the relationship between antonio and Bassanio in The Merchant of Venice?

Antonio and Bassanio's friendship is a very close one. Bassanio consider Antonio his best friend. I also think that Bassanio is also Antonio's best friend because Antonio lent money to Bassanio so he can pay his debts while living the high and fun life. Antonio even sacrifice his own life to Shylock so that Bassanio can have three thousands ducats to woo Portia, a rich heiress from Belmont. I think this part really says that Antonio does care about Bassanio and in a possible way he loves him like a brother. Antonio also Bassanio that all the money that he needed to pay Antonio that Bassanio did not need to pay him the money that he borrows a long time ago. Antonio is really a nice and kind friend and Bassanio is really lucky to have him. This part shows that Antonio is really kind and would sacrifice everything so his friend's happiness would be fulfilled. Bassanio on the other hand sometimes takes Antonio for granted. Bassanio even told Portia that Antonio is his best friend and he is the kindest and nicest man in Venice. Portia replied that she would like to meet him. But there is a scene where Bassanio wasn't gold - digger always that he also cares about Antonio too. Bassanio told Portia that he needed to save Antonio's life from the Jewish moneylender, Shylock. He said that he needed to save his friend's life first before marrying Portia. This part also shows that he is truthful to his friend. When Bassanio gave the ring, that Portia made him swear never to give it away, lose it or anything, to the lawyer who was actually Portia to reward the lawyer for helping to save Antonio's life. He was even willing to give the ring that his future wife gave it to him to show that he belongs to Portia and her wealth.Bassanio also felt worried when Portia told him that she had to sleep with the lawyer to get the ring back. This was the part that Bassanio showed that he was in love with Portia and not only with her wealth. But Portia eventually told Bassanio that she was the lawyer and Nerissa was the lawyer's clerk. Bassanio felt relieved and fooled by his wife. This part also shows that Portia's beauty also matches her brains. Bassanio also told the lawyer that he love Antonio more than his wife and the lawyer replied that you and your wife will argue if she were to hear this. This shows that Bassanio could not control his mouth and can not keep secrets. Antonio on the other hand also showed that he was easily gullible to think that Bassanio care for him but in fact Bassanio only wanted money. Although Antonio is kind, I also think he is too trustworthy. He trusts so must on his ship. He was very confident that his ships will return safely to land. But later rumors spread that Antonio's ship sank and it turned out to be true. I also thought that Antonio is a lonely man and have no self confident. But this part shows that he has a small spark of it in him. Antonio also told shylock that he was a dog, a non- believer, critic on his Jew clothes and more horrible things. This shows that Antonio can be a mean and unkind person to the Jews. I believe that through out the trial, Antonio and Bassanio characters have many sides. Bassanio turned out to be a nice man after all and Antonio can also be a horrible man after all. Their friendship had revealed some new characters about them.


Why does Antonio of Merchant in Venice want his friend to speak fairly of him in death?

Antonio is convinced that he will lose his lawsuit with Shylock and will be obliged to give up his pound of flesh and his life. He asks Bassiano earlier, "You cannot better be employ'd, Bassanio, Than to live still and write mine epitaph." Later, when actually preparing himself to be killed, he has the opportunity to deliver what he believes will be his last words. He says to Bassanio Commend me to your honourable wife: Tell her the process of Antonio's end; Say how I loved you, speak me fair in death; And, when the tale is told, bid her be judge Whether Bassanio had not once a love. He wants Bassanio to tell Portia how much he loves Bassanio; at least that is what is happening on the surface. But what does Antonio care about Portia? He is really letting Bassanio know how deep his love for Bassanio is, in order to get a loving response. Bassanio responds all too lovingly by saying that he loves Antonio more than his wife, a rather unfortunate remark since his wife is standing right next to him. All this is made sense of with the supposition, put forward by a number of scholars, that Antonio has a homosexual attraction to Bassanio.


Why did Antonio borrow money from Shylock?

Antonio borrowed the money from Shylock rather than lend it himself because his ships had not yet arrived therefore he had no money. He borrowed it for Bassanio, because Bassanio wanted to woo Portia.


What effect do bassiano's pleas have?

Bassanio's pleas have the effect of appealing to Antonio's sense of friendship and loyalty, as well as emphasizing the urgency of the situation. They highlight the depth of Bassanio's desperation and need for financial support.